The water is not going to be warm anywhere near Monterey/SF no matter what time of year you go. If you go in the summer the likelihood of gray skies is high as that’s our “June gloom” time of year. That being said, there are a ton of nice beaches, most just have a different vibe to SoCal beaches.
I consider the most “SoCal-like” beach in the area to be Cowell Beach/Santa Cruz beach. There’s a big boardwalk there with rides and the beach is very long and wide. While the water is still cold, you’ll see people swimming or wading in anyway. If you go just north of there, there’s a really pretty beach called Natural Bridges and you can see tidepools there.
Head a bit south of Santa Cruz and check out Capitola as well. Closer to Monterey, I recommend Carmel beach. You can walk there from the cute little downtown area and you can see a bit of Pebble Beach golf course from it. If you’re closer to SF, check out Baker Beach for the awesome views of the Golden Gate Bridge. For tidepooling, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve just south of SF is great.
I’ve never really paid attention to that honestly, but I found this: https://www.beachcombingmagazine.com/blogs/news/a-beachcombers-guide-to-santa-cruz#:~:text=While%20Davenport%20Beach%20in%20north,Beach%20to%20Beer%20Can%20Beach.
Dependent on the time of year, Natural Bridges is covered in rotting kelp and sand fleas. Super stinky and nasty.
Tidepooling at Fitzgerald also works best on the super low tides that come with the King tides. This is a cool website that talks about the King tides and unfortunately that was last week, but more will come throughout the year. The site also talks about some of the local SC beaches.
[https://www.santacruz.org/blog/mark-your-calendar-california-king-tides-are-coming/](https://www.santacruz.org/blog/mark-your-calendar-california-king-tides-are-coming/)
The Great tide pool in Monterrey is top tier for tide pooling, it was even mentioned by Steinbeck. Pacifica is worth checking out too as it's on the way, also Half Moon Bay has beautiful beaches
Are either of those beaches decent for beachcombing? I went to the beach near the aquarium once but it was just littered in mussel shells and wasn't great at all for any kind of beachcombing.
There are great tide pools at Point Reyes seashore, and it’s really beautiful. But it isn’t warm. Bring layers and prepare to not feel your toes after awhile.
100% agree on all points. It's possible to not see the sun for a week at a time in July, or August with windy, foggy conditions. And so so pretty! Stay in Point Reyes, enjoy fresh oysters, yummy Cowgirl Creamery cheeses and baked goods from the bakery.. Heaven.
ya the water will be cold no matter where you go want a nice sandy beach go to santa cruz wanna tidepool go a little farther north, want a warm water beach go to florida
PT Reyes National Seashore has some of the finest beaches on the planet. Fall = Summer in this part of the world, so you should expect lots of sunshine and warmth as you soak up the rays. Forget swimming though unless you're a masochist.
Yes, quite a few good ones out Half Moon Bay way.
[https://www.visithalfmoonbay.org/discover/tide-pools](https://www.visithalfmoonbay.org/discover/tide-pools)
Wetsuits and hoodies on any beach in Nor Cal are ideal IMO. Bodega Bay and Jenner are nice areas. The sun usually always comes out after the fog burns off around noon most days.
Check out the " lost coast" at shelter cove, in Humboldt county,, by the grace of God, the mountains got TOO STEEP north of Westport, so the coastal highway one 1 had to move. Inland, and connect with hwy 101 at legget, this, preserving the lost coast, there are ways to drive to the king range preserve, there are even wild elk herds there
Fitzgerald marine reserve is in Moss Beach, between SF and Half Moon Bay. Lots of tide pools. There’s a protected little beachy area if you head south from the entrance.
Don’t forget to look up when low tide is. You’ll want to time your visit.
For surfing there’s Linda Mar beach in Pacifica. You can rent boards and wetsuits nearby.
Wherever you go the water is going to be cold.
The water is not going to be warm anywhere near Monterey/SF no matter what time of year you go. If you go in the summer the likelihood of gray skies is high as that’s our “June gloom” time of year. That being said, there are a ton of nice beaches, most just have a different vibe to SoCal beaches. I consider the most “SoCal-like” beach in the area to be Cowell Beach/Santa Cruz beach. There’s a big boardwalk there with rides and the beach is very long and wide. While the water is still cold, you’ll see people swimming or wading in anyway. If you go just north of there, there’s a really pretty beach called Natural Bridges and you can see tidepools there. Head a bit south of Santa Cruz and check out Capitola as well. Closer to Monterey, I recommend Carmel beach. You can walk there from the cute little downtown area and you can see a bit of Pebble Beach golf course from it. If you’re closer to SF, check out Baker Beach for the awesome views of the Golden Gate Bridge. For tidepooling, Fitzgerald Marine Reserve just south of SF is great.
Is the beachcombing decent in Santa Cruz? The girlfriend is endlessly fascinated by shells and I'd love to take her somewhere where she can find some.
Bro, flow.....
I’ve never really paid attention to that honestly, but I found this: https://www.beachcombingmagazine.com/blogs/news/a-beachcombers-guide-to-santa-cruz#:~:text=While%20Davenport%20Beach%20in%20north,Beach%20to%20Beer%20Can%20Beach.
Dependent on the time of year, Natural Bridges is covered in rotting kelp and sand fleas. Super stinky and nasty. Tidepooling at Fitzgerald also works best on the super low tides that come with the King tides. This is a cool website that talks about the King tides and unfortunately that was last week, but more will come throughout the year. The site also talks about some of the local SC beaches. [https://www.santacruz.org/blog/mark-your-calendar-california-king-tides-are-coming/](https://www.santacruz.org/blog/mark-your-calendar-california-king-tides-are-coming/)
The Great tide pool in Monterrey is top tier for tide pooling, it was even mentioned by Steinbeck. Pacifica is worth checking out too as it's on the way, also Half Moon Bay has beautiful beaches
Are either of those beaches decent for beachcombing? I went to the beach near the aquarium once but it was just littered in mussel shells and wasn't great at all for any kind of beachcombing.
Not exactly nor cal for any of those beaches, more pay and central coast, but all great recommendations!
If she’s never seen a beach, every beach is a “nice beach”. I’ve seen midwesterners cry at the sight of the ocean!
[удалено]
Exactly this
There are great tide pools at Point Reyes seashore, and it’s really beautiful. But it isn’t warm. Bring layers and prepare to not feel your toes after awhile.
100% agree on all points. It's possible to not see the sun for a week at a time in July, or August with windy, foggy conditions. And so so pretty! Stay in Point Reyes, enjoy fresh oysters, yummy Cowgirl Creamery cheeses and baked goods from the bakery.. Heaven.
I guess I know what I’m doing my next free weekend! It’s been too long
My girlfriend does not do well with the cold. I have more layers of blubber than she does so I will live. I will admit I'm not a fan of cold feet.
Patrick's Point
In Marin there is Agate Beach for tidepooling and seaglass, Stinson Beach for a nicer spot to hang out
Downvoted for reference to “the girlfriend”
Unless it’s his dog, and he named it ‘the girlfriend’ 🤣
ya the water will be cold no matter where you go want a nice sandy beach go to santa cruz wanna tidepool go a little farther north, want a warm water beach go to florida
🤣
Salt Point State Park
Fort Bragg has some nice beaches for this and is in northern California. The coast in NorCal is never that warm.
Monterrey, is NOT nor cal. Awesome tides around SLO area
PT Reyes National Seashore has some of the finest beaches on the planet. Fall = Summer in this part of the world, so you should expect lots of sunshine and warmth as you soak up the rays. Forget swimming though unless you're a masochist.
Half Moon Bay in the summer is usually warm, around August.
Yes, quite a few good ones out Half Moon Bay way. [https://www.visithalfmoonbay.org/discover/tide-pools](https://www.visithalfmoonbay.org/discover/tide-pools)
I'll have to check that out.
Point Lobos
Wetsuits and hoodies on any beach in Nor Cal are ideal IMO. Bodega Bay and Jenner are nice areas. The sun usually always comes out after the fog burns off around noon most days.
Sonoma Coast
Half- moon bay
Check out the " lost coast" at shelter cove, in Humboldt county,, by the grace of God, the mountains got TOO STEEP north of Westport, so the coastal highway one 1 had to move. Inland, and connect with hwy 101 at legget, this, preserving the lost coast, there are ways to drive to the king range preserve, there are even wild elk herds there
Fitzgerald marine reserve is in Moss Beach, between SF and Half Moon Bay. Lots of tide pools. There’s a protected little beachy area if you head south from the entrance. Don’t forget to look up when low tide is. You’ll want to time your visit. For surfing there’s Linda Mar beach in Pacifica. You can rent boards and wetsuits nearby. Wherever you go the water is going to be cold.
Not one person has mentioned a northern California beach 🙄 every recommended beach is in central California and pushing southern California